VISITS TO FOOTBALL GROUNDS/MATCHES: 26th APRIL 2025.

  26th April 2025 EFL League 2 Doncaster Rovers 2v1 Bradford City

At the outset of this match, Doncaster led the league table by one point, while Bradford were placed third, four points behind Doncaster's tally. Bradford was expected to be tough opposition to get a result from. All agreed, a draw would be a good result.

Rovers make one of many attacks on Bradfords goal.

In previous matches, Rovers always appeared to start the game slow and cautiously. This time it was different: Rovers players were attacking City with intensity and causing the City defence problems.

Bradford were caught off guard and found themselves penned into their half but did spring fluent attacks on the Doncaster goal. On the half-hour, Rovers gained a corner. From the flick-on header, the centre-forward powered header into the roof of the City net, 1-0.

From that moment, Bradford seemed reluctant to play a free-flowing game and on a few occassions, City players would fall to the pitch if anywhere near Rovers players. This was a time-wasting measure to disrupt Rovers overall dominence of the game so far.

Rovers score 1st goal

Half-time and 1-0 to Doncaster, but for City it would get worse. As the players left the field, the Bradford centre-half had words with the referee. He got himself booked but was intent on getting his point over to the ref and as the City goalkeeper pulled him away, got shown the yellow then red card. Bradford would now play the second-half with 10 men!

Rovers' keeper saves penalty.

Rovers continued with the second-half where they left-off and continued with the pressing play. City were content to try and break the game-play. Near the end of the match, City were awarded a penalty. The crowd held its breath. But thanfully for Rovers, the young goalkeeper on loan from Chelsea, saved the penalty. Rovers then went straight into attack and scored, 2-0! But in stoppage time City pulled a goal back.

Rovers score the 2nd goal.

This would prove not enough for City, while Rovers celebrated the win by going a point clear at the top of the league and ensuring promotion from League 2. They would need to beat Notts County in their final game to win the Championship.

A good support turned out for the match of 12,574, with around 3,000 fans from Bradford.

DONCASTER ROVERS ARE PROMOTED TO EFL DIVISION 1.

RJC

END.

VISITS TO FOOTBALL GROUNDS/MATCHES: 21st APRIL 2025

  21st April 2025 EFL League 1 Burton Albion 1v2 Birmingham City

Having watched the 2nd-placed team last Friday, Wycombe Wanderers. The opportunity presented itself to watch the newly installed champions of League 1, Birmingham City. My pal got me a ticket and after meeting him in Derby, we took a bus ride to Burton. Twenty minutes later the bus stoped outside the ground of Burton Albion.

Birmingham Kick-off.

And on the attack.

Burton attack the Brum goal.

As you would expect for a midlands-derby match and Birmingham City now champions of League 1, there was a large contingent from Birmingham, albeit 1,500 - 2,000 crammed into the tight Pirelli stadium. Burton need to get something from this match to shield themselves from relegation.

Birmingham score 1st goal 0-1.

Birmingham celebrate the goal 0-1

Birmingham score the 2nd goal 0-2.

With a few minutes remaining, Burton get a consolation goal.

End of match. Birmingham win.

They started well and  posed a real threat to Birmingham. In fact they had much more of the play and created a couple of chances that they failed to convert. 

But the match was effectively over with Birmingham grabbing two quick goals three minutes before half-time. The first, after a Brum corner was not cleared by the Albion defence oon the edge of the penalty area and the ball was fired into the goal. The second came from a quick forward pass and was slotted into the goal. 0-2.

The teams applaud the fans.

Birmingham controlled the second half and Burton could not put much presure on the Brum goal, although there was much more urgency in their play. It wasn't unit the 94th minute that Albion snatched a constellation goal.

Enjoyed my visit to the ground and the game. A sizable crowd on 4,928 were in attendance. The match programme is not too bad either!

RJC

END.

VISITS TO FOOTBALL GROUNDS/MATCHES: 12th APRIL 2025.

 12th April: EFL League 2 Doncaster Rovers 1v1 AFC Wimbledon

This would be a tight game with another team pushing for promotion. Unfortunately for Rovers, it was Wimbledon who put the ball into their opponents net after only 5 minutes.

The game had turned in an instant as a cross was not dealt with by the Rovers defender and the Dons striker hammered the ball into the net. Now the game was a tightly fought affair with both teams probing but neither producing the product.

On the half-hour the Wimbledon skipper was given the red card for a late challange on a  Rovers attacker. From then on, it was clear that Wimbledon were trying to disput the Doncaster play and momentum. Each and every time that a Rovers player came near to tackling a Dons player, that Wimbledon player would throw himself to the ground! Claiming a foul!

It was clear, Wimbledon were now playing at defending their lead for  the remainder of the match. So at half time, Rovers were down 0-1. A huge dent in their promotion prospects.

The second half began at pace with Rovers pushing hard to equalise. Again Wimbledon players would collapse when challanged by a Rovers player! These disruption tactics were begining to annoy the home crowd.

Rovers came close to equallising on a couple of attempts before they too had a player dismissed for a 'off-the-ball' incident with a Dons defender. Ten men apeice.

Now there was more urgency by both teams. But it fell to a Rovers wing-back to power a shot into the Wimbledon goal, 1-1 in from of the home support in the South Stand. This was a hard fought match by both sides to gain an advantage in the pursuit of promotion.

RJC

END

VISITS TO FOOTBALL GROUNDS/MATCHES: 18th APRIL 2025.

 18 April 2025 EFL League 1-Bolton Wanderers 0v2 Wycombe Wanderers.

I would regard this as a local match. Bolton's stadium is just 90 minutes away from me and what is even better is that the train takes us almost to the stadium door. Home to Manchester Oxford Road Rail Station and from there to Horwich Parkway Rail Station.

Toughstreet Community Stadium.

Once there, it's just a short 5 minute walk directly to the stadium. In fact you can see it in front as you depart the station.

This will be the third visit here for me. This time I needed to collect my ticket from the ticket office. So a walk around to the opposite side and then back to the 'Away' section.

Bolton-end starts to fill.

A decent turn-out by the Wycombe supporters which numbered approximately 1,500. Toughstreet Stadium is impressive and very roomy. The stadium even had enough room for a massive gap on our right, between us and more Bolton supporters.

Wycombe Wanderers players warm-up at the Wycombe-end.

Stadium fills with Bolton fans to the left of us.

The game started with both teams testing each others' defence, with the occassional attempt on goal which were not on target. Nothing of any note happened in the first half.

The teams come out for the start.

We are off.

The second half began with midfield duels with both teams testing down the flanks. As the game worn on, Wycombe appeared to be gaining more of the ball and puting Bolton's goal under attack and 8 mins into the half, Wycome grabbed a goal.

Wycombe on the attack, kicking towards the Bolton supporters.

Wycombe began to take control of the game and were rarely threatened by the Bolton players. Just before the end of the game, an attack by Wycombe led to the second goal.  

A welcome win for the 'Chairboys' that enhances their automatic promotion prospects.

Wycombe press another attack.

2nd half starts still 0-0, Bolton KO.

Ball comes over for 1st goal for Wycombe.

The 2nd goal is celebrated just before the end of the game.

Wycombe score 0-2.

Thats it-Wycombe win 0-2.

All over Wycombe win 0-2.

Getting out of the stadium was straightforward as we mingled with the Bolton crowd. At Horwich Parkway, a mixture of fans crammed onto the narrow platform and sqweezed onto the train. 

Horwich Parkway Rail Station

From HPRS looking back to Toughstreet Community Stadium

Twenty minutes later , I was back at Manchester Oxford Road station. Unfortunately, I just missed a train back over the pennines. Soon the train came and I sat down to eat biscuits and drink tea. At Stockport, three Sheffield Wednesday fans joined me at the table and we talked about our respective matches. Got back home just in time to watch the highlights on TV. A good day out and not far to travel.

Manchester Oxford Road Movements Board.

Marriott Hotel-Manchester Oxford Road

Unite Students Building Manchester Oxford Road Rail Station

DRS 88008 Electric Freight Loco Manchester Oxford Road Rail Station

323203 Manchester Oxford Road Rail Station

RJC

END